KERRY Robinson had just one wish for Christmas – that her brave little boy was well enough to celebrate the day at home.

And Santa didn’t disappoint when her son Robbie McDonald was discharged from Yorkhill Children’s Hospital in time to spend the day surrounded by family and friends.

Robbie
suffers from an incurable genetic illness which prevents his brain from
developing and functioning properly and was rushed to Yorkhill sick children’s hospital in Glasgow six weeks ago with painful stomach and bowl problems.

After undergoing complex surgery, he faced spending Christmas in hospital.

But thanks to the kindness and support of the incredible staff, Robbie was back home in Falkirk.

Kerry,
33, said: “Robbie is doing so well that he was able to come home for Christmas. We made the day really special and he got lots of presents, which he loved.

“Getting Robbie home was the best gift I could have wished for.

“It means the world that he was able to spend Christmas with me and we had an amazing day.

“It’s all thanks to the support and kindness of the amazing staff at Yorkhill that Robbie was able to come home for Christmas.”

Despite
a normal pregnancy, Kerry realised something was wrong soon after Robbie was born. She said: “I just knew in the pit of my stomach that he
was poorly.”

After
several weeks in hospital, the youngster was finally allowed home but Kerry was still in the dark about her son’s medical condition.

She said: “It was tough – that left me in limbo.”

His
condition baffled medics and it took months before Kerry was given the heartbreaking news. Robbie’s illness – caused by a chromosome defect – is so rare it does not have a full name.

Robbie, eight, has been in and out of Yorkhill for most of his life.

Kerry said: “There are other cases in the UK but few who suffer as severely as Robbie does.

“The
hardest part was coming to terms with the fact he’ll never walk or talk
and will be fed through a tube for the rest of his life but I am very proud of my son. He’s a brilliant little boy who is always smiling.”

Robbie
has already amazed medics by battling his illness against all odds and his mum says it is down to the staff at Yorkhill. Kerry said: “I can’t thank them enough. At one stage, I thought I was going to lose him but he pulled through and that’s down to the care and attention he gets.”

Robbie
is one of dozens of kids in Yorkhill over Christmas and New Year but thanks to the amazing staff their stay is made a lot easier. Almost every day throughout December, fun events keep the youngsters entertained and their minds off treatment, whether it’s meeting footballers, soap or panto stars, or being whisked off in a limo to see the festive lights at George Square.

The events included Santa and his reindeers visiting and a dashing Disney prince dishing out gifts.

Kerry added: “Santa came into Robbie’s ward to give him a present and it really made his day.

“But the best treat was getting to meet Rangers and Celtic players. It really lifted his spirits.

“The staff always make sure there is something for the children to do.”

Abigail
Stein, fundraising manager at Yorkhill Children’s Charity, said: “It’s a
lot of hard work and we rely on donations but it’s worthwhile when you see the joy it brings.”